Our Nation's Capital

I attended the North American Council on Adoptable Children conference in Ottawa this summer, and spent just under a week in our nation's capital. I had a blast, met up with some friends, had some GREAT meals, and enjoyed the conference. Funnily enough, the gal in the office next to mine attended the same conference, but we didn't manage to cross paths at all!

The weather was hot and sticky, and I sweat buckets, so was thankful for A/C at the hostel where I stayed. It was located at the old Ottawa City Jail. Most of the hostel rooms were old cells, while I lucked out and stayed in one of the former guard's rooms/offices. It had lots of character and was reportedly haunted...though I saw nothing...I had the room to myself the first two nights, then a couple of Japanese gals joined me, and then for the last two nights, we were a full room (of 8). My friend S. joined me from Waterloo for those last two nights and we explored the city a bit. My feet were swollen and sore by that point, so we didn't go far. I also stumbled, (big surprise) and fell face first in front of the Parliament buildings...skinned my knee and rolled my ankle (quite a twist).

I also made the leap and got a new tattoo, this one on the back of my right hand, the Celtic trinity knot. It hurt some, but overall wasn't too bad. I had it done at Universal Tattoo, one of the best tattoo parlours in town (reportedly). I had been pondering another tattoo for some time, and was glad to finally take the plunge! I also went downtown with the daughter of an old friend (the daughter is now 20yrs old) and she was inspired by me to have her nose pierced. We captured it on video...

We took in a light show on Parliament Hill, which was awesome. They played a film commemorating 400 years since Quebec was born (Quebec City that is). The purple floodlights were my favorite though.

The Byward Market was okay, but lots of imported crap, sold by Canadian and immigrant vendors. I prefer to purchase locally made products, so the only thing I bought was a leather bracelet (import crap) and a necklace containing a grain of rice that had my neice's name written on it - he did it right there for me).

We managed to find a great little restaurant called Chez Lucien, just off the market which was terriffic - great value for wonderful food, and cozy atmosphere. I can't say as much about the rest of the meals in Ottawa, save for the luncheon at the conference. S. and I also managed to discover some awesome homemade ice cream and treated ourselves to a banana split. The dog bucket was at the ice cream stand.

Terrible Neglectful Blogger

I've been super busy this summer, however hope to get some photos up today from my summer vacation in eastern Canada. Stay tuned...

Henry's Photo Shoot

I was just fooling around with my smaller digital camera, so snapped a few of the younger puss this afternoon. He was very cooperative and happy to pose. Stormy was not...

Feeling Whoopsy

So all of a sudden at work, I began feeling whoopsie in the tummy...yeah, I wanted to hurl...and somewhat dizzy, so I decided to take myself home, nearly stumbling to my car...WTF? And then when I was coming out from putting my jammies back on, I had reached down to pick my skirt up off the floor and when I came back up, I swayed a bit and conked my head on the doorframe...holy shit that hurt...now there is a red mark on my forehead...what a loser

So here I lay on the sofa in the living room, watching M*A*S*H on DVD, with a kitty.

Whoopsy...yeah...

And then I went out to get a bite to eat...first I tried some Kraft Dinner...it was beyond expiration, this I discovered when I had already cooked the pasta and wondered why the cheese powder was so dark...add hot butter and milk and I soon found out...ewwww...so then I opened a can of beans...only to discover they were beans in tomato sauce, which I don't like. I prefer beans in molasses, home cooked if possible, but Heinz does make a decent baked bean, in molasses with pork. So scrapped that, as I really don't like it. Opened up a can of the right stuff, and we were off and running...finally...

Now it's time to lie down again...

10 Things You May Not Know About Me

Because I'm out of ideas for blogging, I fell victim to a simple meme...

1. I had my motorcycle license when I was 14 years old. I drove my father's moped, and later, his dirt bike and ATV.
2. My very first job was pinsetting in a bowling alley. Yes, that was before they had automatic pinsetters.
3. I know how to tie and set a rabbit snare.
4. I passed my driver's license on the first try. My sister did not.
5. I own a gun. A .303. I do not have it with me.
6. I did not attend my high school prom. I went camping with friends instead and got really really drunk. And of course, went out with someone I didn't really like...but hey, after 20 shots, anyone would look good...
7. My very first boyfriend has the same name as my brother.
8. I know how to change the oil in my car AND the sparkplugs (thanks Dad).
9. I was a Brownie, a Girl Guide, a Pathfinder, a Junior Leader, and a Lone Guider (leader)
10. I met Queen Elizabeth and she shook my hand.

Nothing To Bitch About

Now THAT's fresh...I must be happy for a change...I haven't posted in several weeks (2 of which I was on vacation, a little road trip) and I find I have little to blog about here. Imagine THAT. I could go on about Henry again, but he is actually coming around. The key is to take all of his toys away before bedtime, and bar him out of the room in the early morning. I thought Stormy might have an issue with the door being closed, but for the last few hours of my sleeping time, he is content to just hang with me. Then when he gets antsy, I just let him out, and by then, Henry is looking for him and they both leave me alone for a bit. I think I may even get up and open the balcony door, as that worked for his "respite worker" ha ha...she just got up when he was at her door and opened the door to the balcony, and he went directly out and hung out in the sun there.

I may decide to keep young Henry around after all. I think he might turn out to be a great cat in the end...after all, Stormy was a little bastard for a while and look how great he turned out.

Relay For Life

I participated in the Cancer Society's Relay for Life this year, team captain of The Midnight Sunflowers. We managed to nearly double our goal, and had a great time at the relay. It was an all-nighter for some of the team, though most hauled out by 1am, leaving just 3 team members (one of them a 9 year old) on the field until the finish at 7am. I was the lone team member left at the end, completing the final lap. The weather was amazing, the sky bright all night. The darkest it got is captured in one of the photos here. I learned some ideas for next year and look forward to planning an even better time!

The folks in yellow are cancer survivors. The white bags are luminaries that people purchase for $5 and write something on a note and staple it to the bag. I bought a few, but could not possibly buy one for every family member I've lost to cancer...sadly there are too many. In the morning, the sun hit the luminaries, casting a shadow off them that looked eerily like headstones.

Wednesday Whine

I'm close to snapping. Going Postal...punting that fucking cat right off the balcony and into the woods to the wolves. I haven't slept a full night in months. I have tried everything I can think of. Now we're down to the last straw, and Henry is getting his walking papers TODAY. Yesterday he managed to chew the spiral cord off my phone. Yes, another fucking phone bites the dust in this household. Granted the first 3 were due to a short in the jack. And now Henry chose my most expensive phone to chew up. Last week it was the VCR...he knocked that off the dresser and it was found dangling behind it by its cord. Now it's dead too. I simply cannot, will not, refuse to, and will be fucked if I put up with one more night with that fucking cat. I have put out feelers to a couple of friends, so if they don't want him, he is going straight to the pound. Stupid cat. His worst behaviour is that he is up half the fucking night, prowling around, digging, rooting, scratching at my bed, jumping after my feet when they move, rattling at the window, purrupping, meowing, you name it...stupid cat.

and then there is the matter of the laundry room. It closes at 10pm every night, and opens at 8am. In theory...this morning I purposely got up at 8am, like I do every morning that I do laundry, and dragged my laundry to the laundry room. Except it wasn't open. So I dragged my laundry back to my apartment. 8:15am I went out again. Still fucking locked. Ok, I'm getting even more frustrated now. Dragged my laundry back to my apartment, yet again. 8:25 I go out again, meet some guy in the hallway who asks me how I'm doing...not the right time to ask...normally I would just say, fine, and move on. Today I told him I was frustrated. So he asks why, and I tell him I have been trying to get into the laundry room, and have dragged my laundry out there twice already. So then he apologizes...turns out this guy is the one who was supposed to open the door at 8am. He slept in. So I told him that I got up early just to do laundry. Another excuse - "sometimes I sleep in"...whatever. Just be lucky you are opening the door now, because I was moments away from taking my axe to the door.

Don't mess with a stressed out, overtired, frustrated woman.

I Think

My friend D sent me this today...cracked me up. Simple, but funny.

So True

Tell me about it. I paid $1.459 tonight for gas. My little Corolla cost me $56 to fill (and it wasn't completely empty) which is fucking ridiculous. So now...

Memorable TV Character Moments

Harvey Korman died today. I remember him well from The Carol Burnett Show. They were friggin hilarious. My favorite tv moment on this show was when Carol dressed up as Scarlett O'Hara in her green velvet dress made from the curtains...with the curtain rod left in. I ROARED!!! And Harvy was Rhett Butler...funny as shit...and now he's gone. Rest in Peace, Harvey...

Other memorable tv moments for me are...

• when Radar gave Col. Potter a horse for his birthday on M*A*S*H...Sherm teared up in that scene...
• when Pamela Ewing woke up, and it was all a dream. I recall not being particularly happy abotu that, as did most fans...
• when Grace meets the only woman Will ever slept with on Will and Grace...the entire episode was killer funny...everyone had great lines in that episode.
• the boyfriend cleansing ritual episode on Friends...
• when Mark Greene dies on ER...sad as hell...
• when Les Nessman gets attacked by live turkeys...he thought they could fly...WKRP came out on DVD and when I watched the first season I laughed all over again

and so on...

Nighttime Faux Pas...

so I went downtown tonight about 10:30pm to run to the bank machine...payment coming out tonight, needed to deposit some cash to cover it. I was in my pyjamas...which normally isn't a real big thing because I usually have a coat on because of the cold. Until today when I didn't wear a jacket and realized as I'm strolling about, I have my souvenir t-shirt from Alaska..."I Got Laid in Chicken, Alaska" written in BIG BLACK BOLD letters for all to read...I bought it as a joke, and in certain company, will wear it. Mostly it is a nice soft t-shirt that I wear around the house, and usually to bed. So there I am, strolling about downtown, trying to cover my chest without looking like I was covering my chest...

It was a beautiful sunset downtown though...

The Balcony Boys

Henry is getting rather large...and less confident on the balcony railing. Stormy on the other hand, is his usual arrogant self.

Sick Blogger

I have been ill. Nothing serious...just annoying as shit. It started with a headache and sore glands and throat a week ago Sunday past. By Wednesday it had moved into my chest, where it has camped out ever since. I've been coughing my head off, particularly at night. Dry cough...hack, cough, bark, HACK COUGH BARK! It doesn't help that ALL moisture has been SUCKED out of the air in the north, either. I tried cough syrup, Benylin...it crapped out. What I need is the good stuff - codeine. I should have gotten some today...dammit.

I didn't go to the office much last week. 30 minutes on Monday, and two home visits that night. I was in on Wednesday afternoon and that was it for the week. I did work at home Wednesday night and all day Thursday and Friday. I didn't want to subject my co-workers to my hacking cough, not to mention the germs. I'm sure they appreciated it.

I'm tired of being sick. Boo.

Henry's Grand Adventure

So the weather has been warmer lately and I let the kitties out onto the balcony, leaving the door open so they can come and go, sun themselves, and get some fresh air, a change of scenery. I was sitting nearby on the phone with my friend M. from back east, and all of a sudden I heard the scrabble of nails on wood...I saw Stormy, so I knew Henry was the one who had likely fallen off. I dropped the phone and ran out, and saw Henry on the ground. I only live on the second floor, thankfully, but I think it scared the shit out of just the same. I'm sure he thought to himself "I'm screwed now"...

So I hung up quickly with my friend and took off in my sneakers and nightgown...down the stairs, out to the street and around the back of the building. I didn't see him at first, and feared he had run into the woods, where I would then have to chase him in my sneakers and nightgown. I saw him a moment later, running for someone's balcony. I dodged up on the balcony and he came over to me, looking somewhat shellshocked...poor little guy...I carried him back upstairs and shut the door, after taking Stormy back in from the balcony as well. Balcony privileges have been revoked...

What an adventure for him. I wonder if he and Stormy share their stories...

Take THAT

My dad sent me this one this morning...he is a Newfie.

A Newfie, a little man, walks into a bar in Toronto,when this huge burly American guy walks in. As he passes the little Newfie, he hits him on the neck knocking him to the floor. The big burly Yank says, "that was a karate chop from Korea."

The little Newfie gets back on his barstool and resumes drinking his beer. The burly American then goes to the bathroom and as he walks by the Newfie, he hits him on the other side of the neck, knocking him to the floor."That was a judo chop from Japan", he says.

The little Newfie decides he has had enough and leaves. A half hour later he comes back and sees the burly American sitting at the bar. He walks up behind him and knocks him on the head knocking him out. The Newfie says to the bartender, "when he wakes up, tell him that was a hockey stick from Canadian Tire".

Stress and Relaxation

I think I have perfected the art of relaxation. I can totally chill out these days. I think I even approach being comatose...I used to get terrible stressed out by finding myself in a long line-up, wondering how long it was going to take to get through my business and off doing something else. Now I look at that time spent in the waiting line a nice little relaxing break. After all, there isn't much I can do about the line. If it is the only checkout/line open, there isn't much point in whining about it. Why do you think they provide all of that great reading material for us, along with candy, drinks, and other handy gadgets right there at the checkout. How else would I know that Britney Spears has shaved her head, lost her children/husband/mind/career/sobriety/underwear/bodyguard...

Knitting has given me great patience. I knit all the time, at home, in seminars, at work during lunch or a teleconference. I knit on the bus/train/boat/plane/car and at the airport, staff meetings, at a friend's house, while watching movies, you name it. Then I give away all the mittens I've made. I'm currently experimenting with some felting wool. I'll be sure to post before and after photos.

When I need down time...I get down with my downtime. I have no problem taking time off either. As much as I enjoy my job, I also enjoy my time off with friends and family. I'll be taking about 6 weeks of time this summer, and can't wait!

My job is significantly less stressful than previous positions elsewhere, however it isn't without it's own pressures. I am coping easily now, but can also see potential for high stress at times when it's busy. I enjoy every weekend off, and will often choose to absolutely nothing, turning down invites, having socialized enough throughout the week. And not feel guilty about it.

I remember a time a few years ago when that was not the case. I'm glad to be where I am now, than where I was. I can't wait to get my hammock hung out on my balcony for some snoozing...I would love to have this hammock in that location..

Now if I can just get one for Henry...at least now he spends time on the balcony, fully entertained.

Kitty Stress

Honestly, what in the HELL was I thinking to get a kitten. Sure they're cute. That's where it ends. They are also EVIL. Henry spends his day thinking of new ways to piss me off. Turns out he is very good at it. little mofo...

So here is the latest incident report:

• he thoroughly enjoys jumping up at posters, and scratching at the wall below them...I have no idea what this is about...particularly when he does it at 4am...
• we have longer days now, so he is up EARLY and in order to get my attention, LOVES to walk over everything on my nightstand, including the telephone and answering machine, causing them to go off - so at 5am I hear "please leave a message after the beep" or a nasty ass dial tone. If the tissue box is turned right side up, there is some digging going on until he destroys the tissues in the box
• playing the blinds like a piano is still popular...only the ones in the room I happen to be in count. And when it doesn't get my attention, he steps it up and tries to climb them...
• he ran off with all three of my beading dishes...they are just empty applesauce cups with tiny beads in them for a project...the beads are ALL OVER THE FUCKING CARPET and the beading cups were jammed under the couch. I will not be picking them up...that's what vacuums are for...cleaning up after idiot cats
• I can't have a plant or clipping from a plant anywhere in the apartment, except inside the cupboard. He has chewed every single plant down to the nub, often within minutes of me bringing it home.
• He won't stay off the counter top. It doesn't seem to matter HOW many times I yell and scream at him, spray him with water, flick water at him, shove him off the end, you name it. He will come right back up there.
• He loves to ROOT. Particularly when I am sleeping. He will root at the wires behind the dresser where my TV and VCR are, and especially loves to root at the underside of my bed. It used to be open and he climbed up in there, (he had ripped the fabric off the underside of the boxspring) but now I have a duvet cover covering my boxspring and he can't get at it. It doesn't stop him from trying...again, usually at 1am, or 5 am.
• He is a puker. He looks for a clean piece of carpet on which to hurl the insides of his stomach, just for my enjoyment.
• Doors are meant to be scratched at, not closed. Particularly at 4am...I closed the spare room door to keep out some light and limit the places he can root around in while I TRY to sleep. So instead he scratches at the door, endlessly...
• He keeps knocking down the little jars of kitty treats. I have no idea why. He turns his nose up at all of them and won't eat them when I give them to him. Stormy does not suffer from this problem. He will eat all of Henry's treats. Henry just looks at them and flops on the floor.
• He loves to chew plastic. Particularly the plastic on my heating pad. There are teeth marks on it all over. He doesn't even care if I am currently using it. He will lay down next to me and start munching. Pity he wouldn't get a little jolt one of these times...
• I cannot leave a drink standing ANYWHERE. He will seek it out like a missile, and drive his head down into the glass, knocking it over and spilling the drink on whatever is near, usually my computer or some paperwork.

Okay. I'm calmed again for now. I'm sure the neighbors think I'm killing someone here by the sound of the roars coming out of me sometimes. I hope they know I'm not yelling at a child, but an insolent kitten. I know he doesn't understand what I am saying...but I can guarantee you he knows that the tone is not warm and fuzzy.

Password Hell

We've all been there. Many of us visit there frequently. I have so many passwords I want to scream...I even have a book for most of them. I have several at work, and they all expire, on different days so it is a constant struggle to keep up with them. I have a few key phrases/combinations with slight variations that I use for more than one login, but sometimes I use a service so rarely that when it comes time to sign in, I haven't the faintest idea.

We have passwords to login to our computer network at work, then to login to our email, to our child protection server, then the child protection application. We report our time and overtime through another online program, and there is a password for that. This is the one I forget frequently...when you forget it they don't email you the current password, they get you to change it again...sigh...

At home I have passwords for all of my email programs, blogger, facebook, banking with 2 banks, ebay, paypal, my sister's ebay, all the forums I visit (like lonely planet thorntree, hip forums, cbc news, etc) and passwords for other online buying accounts like Westjet, Amazon, Chapters Indigo, Staples, Future Shop, Dell, etc...the list goes on. Then there are passwords to get into the alumni stuff at university, passwords to sign into chat programs like msn and yahoo messenger.

Then there are access codes for computer, and for phonecalls regarding my student loans. I call them maybe twice a year and they expect me to remember them...I spend more time trying to forget they exist...

Password hell, I tell ya...

Computer Crash...

I can't respond to any emails today, Something has crashed on my computer...